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How the Colorado Rockies could have won the 2004 World Series

ByNoah Yingling|
17 Jun 2001: Larry Walker #33 of the Colorado Rockies at bat during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Rockies defeated the Reds 4-2.Mandatory Credit: Mark Lyons /Allsport
17 Jun 2001: Larry Walker #33 of the Colorado Rockies at bat during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Rockies defeated the Reds 4-2.Mandatory Credit: Mark Lyons /Allsport
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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 3: Andres Galarraga #20 of the Anaheim Angels swings at an Oakland Athletics pitch during a MLB game at the Network Associates Coliseum on October 3, 2004 in Oakland, California. The Athletics won 3-2. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 3: Andres Galarraga #20 of the Anaheim Angels swings at an Oakland Athletics pitch during a MLB game at the Network Associates Coliseum on October 3, 2004 in Oakland, California. The Athletics won 3-2. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Why not go with a Colorado Rockies franchise legend as the designated hitter?

Since I was doing a bit of a Rockies reunion, I decided to sign Andres Galarraga from the free-agent market. He’s the reason why I decided to play with the DH because, obviously, at that point in his career, he was not unseating Todd Helton at first base.

I attempted to sign Pedro Astacio for the starting rotation and Ellis Burks as a DH/bench bat but with budgetary constraints (particularly with Neagle), I could not. However, I was able to trade Chin-hui Tsao and Jason Young to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Eric Young.

I traded Royce Clayton to the Anaheim Angels for David Eckstein. Eckstein is not as well rated as he should have been in the game but he was a bit better defensively than Clayton and, personally, I think he was a better hitter but the stats were about the same.

I also traded Rene Reyes and Chris Richard for Mark Sweeney (former Rockie) and Ryan Freel to get some more versatility on the bench.

I completely revamped the bullpen as I ended up acquiring Chad Bradford and Chris Hammond from Oakland, former Rockies reliever Mike Myers from Seattle, Julian Tavarez from the Cardinals, and Jeff Nelson from Texas for Bernero, Stark, Vance, Fuentes (I really didn’t want to trade him but I had to so I could get Nelson), Chacon, and some minor leaguers.

I made Scott Elarton (who is in Triple-A Colorado Springs in the game) my long reliever due to budget constraints so I was set. My 25-man roster was this:

  1. Eric Young, 2B
  2. Larry Walker, RF
  3. Todd Helton, 1B
  4. Preston Wilson, CF
  5. Jeromy Burnitz, LF
  6. Andres Galarraga, 1B
  7. Vinny Castilla, 3B
  8. Charles Johnson, C
  9. David Eckstein, 2B
  10. Todd Greene, C
  11. Denny Hocking, 2B (utility man)
  12. Mark Sweeney, 1B (and outfield)
  13. Ryan Freel, LF (utility man)
  14. Denny Neagle, SP
  15. Shawn Estes, SP
  16. Jason Jennings, SP
  17. Joe Kennedy, SP
  18. Aaron Cook, SP
  19. Scott Elarton, long relief
  20. Julian Tavarez, middle relief
  21. Mike Myers, left-handed middle relief
  22. Chad Bradford, middle relief
  23. Chris Hammond, left-handed set-up man
  24. Steve Reed, set-up man
  25. Jeff Nelson, closer
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